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In order to evaluate the possible cariostatic effect of a fluoride varnish in the primary dentition, Duraphat varnish was applied twice yearly for 2 years to the teeth of 195 3 1/2-year-old children of both sexes attending nine preparatory schools in the Warsaw area. A control group of 127 children attending nine other preparatory schools was also examined. For each child a dmfs1 index (including "caries without macroscopic defect") and a dmfs2 index ("caries without macroscopic defect" excluded) were determined as well as a dmft1 and a dmft2 index. After 2 years the difference between the test and the control groups regarding the mean dmfs1 and dmft2 index increments was 9.39% (P greater than 0.1) and 24.09% (P less than 0.05), respectively. No significant differences were found, however, concerning the dmft2 and dmfs2 indices, the percentage children with new gingival caries, the number of teeth extracted on account of caries and the number of remaining teeth. A test group of 46 children treated with fluoride varnish in which a complete radiological examination could be carried out before and after the experimental period and which was treated with fluoride varnish was compared with a similar group of 27 children, which was not treated with fluoride varnish. The differences in caries increments were small, less than 15%, and were not significant. Taking into consideration the great variation between the schools it was concluded that the cariostatic effect of Duraphat application twice yearly in the primary dentition of these children was slight.

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A b s t r a c tIntroduction: Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) is a powerful mitogen involved in the stimulation of DNA synthesis and the proliferation of a wide variety of cell types. Fibroblast growth factor 1 was genetically modified to improve its thermal stability and resistance to protease degradation without losing its biological activity. Aim: To study the impact of Q40P/S47I/H93G rFGF-1 on skin cells, its penetration through the skin and the evaluation of the rFGF-1-cosmetic product properties. Material and methods:In vitro studies included the examination of primary fibroblast and keratinocyte viability after the incubation with rFGF-1. The penetration abilities of rFGF-1 in various formulations and carrier systems were examined ex vivo by the Raman spectroscopy. In vivo studies -HF Ultrasound and 3D Imaging System -were used to evaluate the anti-aging properties of creams containing rFGF-1. Results:In vitro studies demonstrated that rFGF-1 strongly enhanced the viability of the treated cells. The Raman Spectroscopy analysis indicated that rFGF-1 encapsulated in lipid spheres penetrate through the stratum corneum to the depth of 60 µm, and added to the o/w formulation -could penetrate to a depth of 90 µm. The results obtained from Primos revealed the reduction of the volume and the depth of the wrinkles. Changes in the skin structure in the analyzed areas were evaluated by HF Ultrasonography. Conclusions: Recombinant FGF-1 strongly stimulated fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation. However, the transition of this protein through the SC required an appropriate carrier system -lipid spheres. All tests -in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo -have proved that rFGF-1 is a substance with a potentially wide spectrum of use.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer variability and accuracy of ultrasound assessment of thyroid nodules using a descriptive lexicon. Materials and methods: A prospective study was performed on complete ultrasound examinations, including sonoelastography and color Doppler ultrasound of 18 patients with 20 thyroid nodules. A total of 20 records of thyroid nodules from these techniques were duplicated, numbered, and randomly arranged. Five radiologists assessed the recordings independently. Cohen Kappa and Fleiss Kappa statistics were used to determine the degree of intra- and inter-observer agreement. Results: Mean accuracy rates for all radiologists, for all ultrasound features, ranged from 82.7 to 87.8%. For B-mode and strain elastography, accuracies ranged from 65.0 to 100% and 47.4 to 86.8%, respectively. Concerning intra-observer variability, three radiologists demonstrated almost perfect agreement (the κ-value ranged from 0.81 to 0.86), and a substantial agreement was noted for the two remaining radiologists. The κ-values for inter-observer agreement ranged from 0.61 for macrocalcifications (substantial agreement) to 0.33 for Asteria four-point elastography scale criteria (fair agreement). Conclusions: The results suggest relatively good inter-observer and excellent intra-observer agreement in the assessment of thyroid nodules using ultrasound, and fair agreement in the case of strain elastography.

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Partial pulpotomy and capping with calcium hydroxide was performed in 93 lower primary molars. The pulpal diagnosis was chronic coronal pulpitis. The amputation was done with a gentle technique, using high speed and diamond burs. Calcium hydroxide was applied to the wound surface without any intermediate layer of blood clot. The cavity was sealed with slow‐setting zinc oxide‐eugenol cement, phosphate cement and silver amalgam. The teeth were followed clinically and roentgenologically. After one year 67 successful endodontic treatments and 14 failures were registered. The remaining 12 teeth were lost for reasons unconnected with the endodontic treatment. The frequency of successful treatments, estimated with the aid of a modified life table method, was 83%. Partial pulpotomy thus proved favorable compared to traditional coronal pulpotomy and should therefore be considered the treatment of choice in primary molars with chronic coronal pulpitis provided a gentle surgical technique is used and no blood clot is left between wound surface and calcium hydroxide.

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a modern method for the assessment of tissue stiffness. There has been a growing interest in the use of this technique for characterizing thyroid focal lesions, including preoperative diagnostics.AimThe aim of the study was to assess the clinical usefulness of SWE in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) diagnostics.Materials and methodsA total of 169 focal lesions were identified in the study group (139 patients), including 6 MTCs in 4 patients (mean age: 45 years). B-mode ultrasound and SWE were performed using Aixplorer (SuperSonic, Aix-en-Provence), with a 4–15 MHz linear probe. The ultrasound was performed to assess the echogenicity and echostructure of the lesions, their margin, the halo sign, the height/width ratio (H/W ratio), the presence of calcifications and the vascularization pattern. This was followed by an analysis of maximum and mean Young's (E) modulus values for MTC (EmaxLR, EmeanLR) and the surrounding thyroid tissues (EmaxSR, EmeanSR), as well as mean E-values (EmeanLRz) for 2 mm region of interest in the stiffest zone of the lesion. The lesions were subject to pathological and/or cytological evaluation.ResultsThe B-mode assessment showed that all MTCs were hypoechogenic, with no halo sign, and they contained micro- and/ or macrocalcifications. Ill-defined lesion margin were found in 4 out of 6 cancers; 4 out of 6 cancers had a H/W ratio > 1. Heterogeneous echostructure and type III vascularity were found in 5 out of 6 lesions. In the SWE, the mean value of EmaxLR for all of the MTCs was 89.5 kPa and (the mean value of EmaxSR for all surrounding tissues was) 39.7 kPa Mean values of EmeanLR and EmeanSR were 34.7 kPa and 24.4 kPa, respectively. The mean value of EmeanLRz was 49.2 kPa.ConclusionsSWE showed MTCs as stiffer lesions compared to the surrounding tissues. The lesions were qualified for fine needle aspiration biopsy based on B-mode assessment. However, the diagnostic algorithm for MTC is based on the measurement of serum calcitonin levels, B-mode ultrasound and FNAB.